In the United States, summer is a time of celebration. Young students find themselves free of their responsibilities for the summer while older students may be rining in the end of an era. In the midst of this sunny celebration, we can easily forget that our ODF students are welcoming winter in South Africa. For us at Open Doors, this is our busiest and most exciting season.

As referenced in our last update, the selection process for our new 2015 Open Doors Foundation Scholars is now complete. Along with our local partners at Masiphumelele Library and Ikamva Youth, we’re happy to announce six new ODF Scholars! With intended majors ranging from accounting to human resources management, our scholars again represent not only numerous universities, but also a diversity of interests.

These six students can now count on our support for two years of their university education. This is only possible through generous donors like you. Whether you’ve been supporting us for years, or made a donation just once, know that your investments are now bearing fruit: these students are going to college to continue pursuing their dreams.

Our expectation now from these students is that they go and explore the world ahead of them while maintaining their commitment to community service, a core tenet of our scholarship selection process. We can’t wait for what the future may hold for our students. We hope that you will continue to join us in supporting these students and watching them grow for years to come.

It has already been three months since the start of the New Year. There is no excuse now to still be writing 2014! Along with the start of the New Year, our students in South Africa have also started their new academic year. Though most students cannot contain their excitement to begin again, this reminds us that not everyone has the opportunity to continue their schooling. This reminds us the importance of our mission.

We are also excited to announce that Open Doors has now entered the selection phase for our scholarship applicants. By working with our local partners in the Cape Town area, we will select the scholars that not only demonstrate a deep desire to learn, but also those that value community service and understand the power of giving back. We believe that these students not only hold the keys to the future of South Africa, but also the entire world.

Having a chance for higher education, whether it is a 4-year degree in the high arts or a 2-year program in computer and technical skills, creates more opportunities for students and the chance for a better future. We thank your support throughout the years and ask that you continue to keep us in your thoughts. Together, we can honor and aid those who have chosen to pursue a better future through higher education.

The winter holiday season is upon us again. For many, this is the best time of the year: a chance to go home with friends and family. This also always seems to be the perfect time to reflect upon the year gone by and set goals for the year to come.

However, things do seem more hectic than usual. This year has seen renewed upheaval in the Middle East, Europe, and even the United States. Through some of these dark times, it is important to remember still how far we have come. This year was the 20th anniversary since the end of apartheid in South Africa. It is still difficult to imagine that only two decades ago, South Africa was a legally and racially segregated society. But much has changed since then. South Africa has taken an active role in the international community and was even elected to the UN Human Rights Council this November. The change in one generation is astonishing.

At Open Doors, we believe in the transformative power of generations. Every year, bright new young students emerge into leaders to create a tangible change in their community. It is our job at Open Doors to ensure that no barriers hold them back from turning into these future leaders. We invite you this winter to join us in continuing to support these students and sustaining the positive momentum in South Africa. This holiday season, share your cheer across the world by supporting Open Doors and our students for a brighter and better future.

I passed my first semester, I did well in all modules. I passed my tests and assignments. University life has started very well for me, I am engaged in my studies and I am enjoying the social life.

I have started with second semester and I am looking forward to working hard and improving.

I will keep on giving you updates on how I am doing.

Thanks,

Yolanda

The letter you just read is from Yolanda, an Open Doors scholar who is studying Biotechnology at University of the Western Cape in South Africa. Like the other 13 students who have received financial assistance from Open Doors Foundation (ODF), Yolanda writes periodically to let us know how she is doing. Today, we want to share snippets of some of these recent updates from our scholars. When we read these updates, not only do we get encouraged by how well the students are doing, but we also feel grateful for your generosity, which has made all of this happen.

As we head into a new school year, ODF is thinking of next year’s scholarship application and leadership transition. We will be sure to keep you abreast with these developments. In the meantime, please consider to continue your support for our cause, and give financial contributions to help send South African high schoolers to post-secondary education.

Yours at ODF

Hi [ODF] I’m doing very well at the university, as last year I passed my second year, so this year I’m on my third year in Social work. Life in general I’m getting there, plans for my future are that I want to finish my honours and work after that.

– Adonisi

I am not studying at the moment , but I have applied for next I have been accepted. My life in general is good and I’m volunteering at Ikamva Youth while I’m looking for job. My future plan is to get to university and study hard so that I can graduate. I am going to study Geography and Environmental study at the University of the Western Cape. I’m looking forward to it because I really love Geography and the course sounds Exciting.

– Phumza**

** Phumza is not currently receiving financial aid from Open Doors as she hasn’t begun her post-secondary education; her scholarship awaits her as she starts her study at the University of the Western Cape

In first semester, I took 5 courses (3 over whole year)… I like learning about insurance, pricing some insurance products. Quite interesting. For stats, I enjoyed Probability theory and statistical inference in first semester, now learning regression analysis which is quite practical so learning how to analyse data better and more practically.... Enjoying that! … I would still continue with Actuarial Science.

Almost 5 years ago to the day, I was about to board a plane in Boston to fly to South Africa where I would be spending the summer volunteering with an organization called WorldTeach. It was my first stint abroad on my own and I was both very excited and a little nervous about what was in store. Little did I know that those upcoming months would serve as one of the most transformative summers of my life.

While teaching in the impoverished communities of Masiphumelele and Ocean View that summer, I not only met other volunteers who are now my lifelong friends but I also got to work with talented students and discuss their career hopes and dreams. Through conversations with these students, it became apparent that their limited finances posed a significant hurdle to their wish to further their education beyond secondary school. It was result of these conversations that the Open Doors Foundation was eventually born.

5 years later, I am excited to report that I will be heading back to Cape Town, South Africa once again. I have been working for the last several months in the nearby country of Lesotho with a global health organization. While my work here in Lesotho has had a different focus than my WorldTeach experience, there is one wonderful similarity: getting to meet inspiring individuals who are dedicated and eager to make a positive difference in their lives and the lives of those around them.

My upcoming trip to Cape Town will be a whirlwind 3-day visit and I am excited for all that is in store! I am planning to meet with some of our Open Doors scholars to check in, hear about their experiences at university, and discuss if there are additional ways in which Open Doors can further support them. I also can't wait to meet with Open Doors' local partners on the ground and say a big thank you. These partners have been vital in identifying promising students and facilitating the scholarship application process. Last, but certainly not least, the new batch of WorldTeach volunteers will have just arrived in South Africa and I am excited to meet them, share stories from my own WorldTeach experience, and introduce them to Open Doors and ways in which they can get involved.

As my trip draws closer, I have spent much time reminiscing about my first visit to South Africa back in 2009. With your loyal support, it is really incredible to think about how much we have accomplished together in the years since then. Thanks to your generosity, we have been able to support 15 impressive South African students in their pursuit of a tertiary education. It is a phenomenal achievement and we cannot thank you enough!

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